Nielsen Audio SVP/Business Development Rich Tunkel revealed two pieces of new information at Radio Ink’s Hispanic Radio Conference on Wednesday that you will certainly find very interesting. Back in December 2016, Nielsen purchased a company called Gracenote which has access to automobile data that will eventually be woven into your ratings. And, Nielsen is working on new wearable devices to capture listening. Here are the details.
The first investment in radio, according to Tunkel, is a total of $30 million to increase sample size. The most recent $10 million investment is expected to increase sample size by 10%. The demos that need the increase the most will be targeted first, then every other demo.
How does a sample size of 100 million sound? That was the question Tunkel asked the audience at the Hispanic Radio Conference, Wednesday. The Gracenote purchase will provide Nielsen with access to radio-listening data in 100 million automobiles. That data will eventually be used in the ratings. Tunkel did not have a specific date for the data integration; he said the company is just starting to get a good look at it and there needs to be a lot of testing first. Watch for future announcements about the Gracenote data from Nielsen.
Tunkel also showed off his new smartwatch, which he says picks up PPM codes. Nielsen is moving into wearables such as watches and FitBits to capture more listening. The watches are being tested already, and again, you can expect announcements from the ratings firm soon on how they will be used and how this will affect your ratings.
